Question 1

The agenda building process:&#10;A)Is often skewed against unpopular issues and powerless groups.&#10;B)Favors unpopular issues and powerless groups.&#10;C)Should bypass unpopular issues and powerless groups.&#10;D)Is not pertinent to unpopular issues and powerless groups.

Accepted Answer

The agenda building process is influenced by powerful groups and tends to prioritize popular issues. Unpopular issues and powerless groups may find it difficult to gain attention and be included in the agenda.

Question 2

The agenda building process refers to:&#10;A)Processes by which certain issues gain the serious attention of decision makers.&#10;B)Processes to shape the agendas of committee meeting in legislatures.&#10;C)A series of actions directed toward change.&#10;D)Well-positioned arguments for or against a specific piece of legislation.

Accepted Answer

Agenda building refers to the processes by which certain issues gain the serious attention of decision makers. These processes can involve a range of actors and methods, including media coverage, public opinion, interest group mobilization, and political entrepreneurship.

Question 3

Analyzing problem and solution streams,political realities,and recent professional trends are part of which stage in agenda building?&#10;A)The diagnosing stage.&#10;B)The softening stage.&#10;C)The activating stage.&#10;D)The building stage.

Accepted Answer

The diagnosing stage involves analyzing problem and solution streams, political realities, and recent professional trends to understand and frame the issue.

Question 4

How can a policy advocate convince others that a condition is a problem?&#10;A)Staging a protest march.&#10;B)Offering a solution.&#10;C)Using data and research.&#10;D)All of the above choices.

Accepted Answer

Using data and research is the best way to convince others that a condition is a problem, as it provides objective evidence to support the argument. Staging a protest march or offering a solution may be helpful in raising awareness or promoting action, but without supporting evidence, they may not be as effective in convincing others of the problem.

Question 5

Incrementalists assume that executives favor ________ changes in existing policy in response to complaints or pressure:&#10;A)Grandiose.&#10;B)Controversial.&#10;C)Modest.&#10;D)No.

Accepted Answer

Incrementalists believe that executives favor modest or small changes in response to complaints or pressure rather than grandiose or controversial changes. They argue that small changes are more feasible, manageable and achievable than large scale, transformative ones.

Question 6

Wedge issues are:&#10;A)Issues that are alike.&#10;B)Issues that favor two opposing groups.&#10;C)Issues that are divisive.&#10;D)Issues that are dead on the agenda.

Accepted Answer

Wedge issues are issues that are divisive, meaning they create strong opinions and opinions that may split people into opposing groups. This can cause conflict and even create barriers between groups who may have previously been united on other issues. A wedge issue is often used to gain political advantage by focusing on a particular issue that will be popular with a particular group, but may be strongly opposed by another. Thus, Choice C is the correct answer.

Question 7

Groups that tackle unpopular issues:&#10;A)Should give up and focus energy on issues that have a chance.&#10;B)Lay the groundwork for subsequent policy changes.&#10;C)Are able to gain political support.&#10;D)Have the best chance at initiating change at the agency level.

Accepted Answer

Groups that tackle unpopular issues may not gain immediate political support or initiate change at the agency level, but they can lay the groundwork for subsequent policy changes. By raising awareness and educating the public on these issues, they can eventually build enough support to make a difference. Therefore, they should not give up and should continue to focus their energy on their cause.

Question 8

Direct-service staff can participate in agenda building by:&#10;A)Working within agencies.&#10;B)Locating unaddressed or poorly addressed community needs.&#10;C)Joining already existing coalitions and advocacy groups.&#10;D)All of these choices.

Accepted Answer

Direct-service staff can participate in agenda building by working within agencies, locating unaddressed or poorly addressed community needs, and joining already existing coalitions and advocacy groups. By doing all of these things, direct-service staff can have a broader impact and work towards addressing systemic issues in addition to individual needs.

Question 9

After a problem has been diagnosed,the policy practitioner must:&#10;A)Start negotiations.&#10;B)Place it in context.&#10;C)Moderate it.&#10;D)Find supporters.

Accepted Answer

The answer of After a problem has been diagnosed,the policy...

Question 10

When engaged in agenda building,policy advocates use value clarifying skills to:&#10;A)Analyze the political stream.&#10;B)Use data to find a solution.&#10;C)Help a problem reach an agency.&#10;D)Decide if it is worthwhile to invest energy in promoting a certain issue.

Accepted Answer

Value clarifying skills are used to determine if a certain issue is worthy of promotion or investment of energy. It involves analyzing the values and beliefs of the advocate to decide if the issue aligns with their goals and objectives. It also involves assessing the potential impact and feasibility of the issue. Option A is incorrect because analyzing the political stream involves assessing the political climate to determine if the issue is likely to gain support. Option B is incorrect because using data to find a solution is part of the policy analysis process, not agenda building. Option C is incorrect because helping a problem reach an agency is part of the policy implementation process, not agenda building.

Question 11

A specific policy innovation will be difficult to achieve when:&#10;A)The issue is already politicized.&#10;B)It will be relatively cheap to implement.&#10;C)Its magnitude is limited.&#10;D)Decision makers believe it will improve their chances of reelection.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A specific policy innovation will be difficult...

Question 12

Agency executives will often ignore an issue if:&#10;A)They do not agree with it ideologically.&#10;B)They are too busy with management problems.&#10;C)They feel it will lead to internal conflict.&#10;D)All of the above choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Agency executives will often ignore an issue...

Question 13

Before beginning policy practice it is important to:&#10;A)Acquire funding.&#10;B)Examine the streams of problems and solutions surrounding the issue.&#10;C)Secure the backing of an agency or political party.&#10;D)Examine how this problem is dealt with in other countries.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Before beginning policy practice it is important...

Question 14

In a win-win atmosphere,two parties believe that:&#10;A)The party in government will benefit from the new policy.&#10;B)The party in opposition will benefit from the policy.&#10;C)They can both benefit from the new policy.&#10;D)The policy will help their candidate be elected.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a win-win atmosphere,two parties believe that:&#10;A)The...

Question 15

Rationalists assume that:&#10;A)Decision makers place items on the agenda only when technical reports call for change.&#10;B)Change is initiated based on client request.&#10;C)It is best to initiate change only when you have the support of the legislature.&#10;D)Change is necessary when items on the agenda are dated and ineffective.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rationalists assume that:&#10;A)Decision makers place items on...

Question 16

A period of time that favors the advancement of an initiative is called:&#10;A)An interval.&#10;B)A window of opportunity.&#10;C)The time span.&#10;D)A schedule.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A period of time that favors the...

Question 17

Policy advocates who use protests as part of their strategy should realize that:&#10;A)A protest is considered a replacement for traditional channels to get proposals accepted.&#10;B)A protest may harden policy officials against the reform.&#10;C)Protests are usually ignored by policy officials.&#10;D)Protests are usually ignored by the general public.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Policy advocates who use protests as part...

Question 18

Legislators often avoid placing issues on the agenda that:&#10;A)Are not likely to be resolved.&#10;B)Give them little political advantage in reelection.&#10;C)Are not supported by special interest groups.&#10;D)Do not involve support of vulnerable populations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Legislators often avoid placing issues on the...

Question 19

Agenda building is a central part of a political campaign because:&#10;A)Candidates seek issues that will generate support.&#10;B)Policy advocates work for political parties.&#10;C)There is no other time to build an agenda.&#10;D)The two parties often try to find common ground.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Agenda building is a central part of...

Question 20

The &#34;garbage can&#34; theory of agenda building refers to:&#10;A)Problems that have been deemed unsolvable.&#10;B)Solutions that are not implemented.&#10;C)A problem or solution that has been raised,but not yet placed on an agenda.&#10;D)Ideas that are raised and dismissed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The &#34;garbage can&#34; theory of agenda building...

Deck 6: Committing to an Issue: Building Agendas